From Ideas to Crops: Embracing Growing Season on The Farm.

The shift from preparation to production on a farm is a moment filled with relief, excitement, and a touch of nervous energy. After weeks of hard work organizing equipment, preparing the beds, and planning the season’s crops, the farm finally moves into its most critical phase: production. This transition marks the start of a cycle where all the groundwork pays off in growing great crops and, eventually, a fruitful harvest.

In this post, I’ll share how we moved from the hectic chaos of getting everything ready to fully embracing production season. I’ll describe the steps we took, the challenges we faced, and the practical strategies that helped us stay on track. Whether you’re seasoned f or just curious about the farm, this offers a look at what it takes to turn a idea into a productive one.

Preparing the Farm for Production

Before growing our crops begins, the farm needs to be in top shape. This preparation phase can feel overwhelming because it involves many moving parts happening all at once.

Organizing Equipment and Tools

One of the first tasks was making sure all equipment and supplies were ready. All the systems had to be inspected and tested. We created a checklist to track:

• Lubricating and servicing the equipment

• Calibration of equipment

• Inspect lines and tubing

• Cleaning and sharpening of hand tools

  
  

This checklist helped us avoid last-minute breakdowns that could delay the crops.

Bed Preparation

A healthy clean oil free bed is the foundation of a good crop. We tested samples to check

balance and quality of the beds. Based on the results, we cleaned, scrubbed and detoxed the beds to remove any contaminants to improve bed quality.

This step required careful timing. Detoxing too early can always open the beds to some fresh contamination, while waiting too long can delay growing. We aimed for a balance .

Planning and Scheduling

With the farm ready, the next challenge -other than keeping the Ducks in check - was deciding what, where and when to start each crop. This planning ensures efficient use of space, materials and resources.

Crop Rotation and Diversity

We followed a production rotation plan to maintain the health of the systems. For example, after harvesting one crop, we chose to clear, clean and run our detoxification cycle on that one area while the other 5 areas are busy growing. This rotation helps prevent a pause in production on to many areas at a time.

Scheduling Planting Dates

Each crop has a window. We created a calendar that mapped out when to start each crop based on production and if the crop is part of a larger unit. This schedule helped us organize labor and equipment use efficiently.

Moving Into Production: Early Growth

Once the groundwork was done, we moved into the heart of production: starting, then tuning the system watching our first crops grow.

Managing Challenges During Production Season

Production is not without its hurdles. Supply disruptions, good ol' Seco Energy and their constant power hits, equipment issues with teh feeder heads and beds themselves can disrupt progress.

Equipment Maintenance

Even during production, equipment needs regular checks. We scheduled brief daily inspections to catch issues early and avoid costly breakdowns.

Planning and Looking Ahead

As production season progresses, thoughts turn to distribution. Planning ahead ensures a smooth transition from growing to gathering and the final sale of our crops.

Final Thoughts on Embracing Production Season

Moving from the chaos of preparation to the steady rhythm of production is a rewarding experience. It requires careful planning, hard work, and flexibility to handle unexpected challenges. By organizing equipment, preparing the beds, planning crops, we set the stage for a successful first season.

For us to make the farm sucessful the key takeaway is to break down the process into manageable steps and stay attentive throughout. Production is where all the effort comes together, and with the right approach, it can be a time of growth and accomplishment.